Cypress "Knees"

(credit for picture to z.about.com)

Deep in the flood plains of rivers in the Southern United States are the Bald Cypress trees. These trees thrive with their feet in the water almost all year long.

The trees that grow in the swamp are typically flared at the base and possess “knees.” The “knees” are projections of the root system that extend both up out of the water and down deep into the muddy soil. It has been thought that these “knees” were pneumatophores (better look this one up!); however, removing them doesn’t seem to change the health of the tree. On the other hand, Cypress trees growing in more upland areas (not swamps)do not have the buttressing (wide base) of the trunk or “knees.”

It could be that removing the upper part of the “knee” really doesn’t make much difference because the lower portion which extends into the mud is still intact and that the “knee” is there only to help anchor the tree.

As a youngster in Central Florida, I used to harvest these, clean and polish them and make various items such as lamps, book ends, and so on.

--mak